APRIL 1, 2019 – The first ever deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to Israel culminated with a closing ceremony involving U.S. and Israeli leadership at the site Mar. 25, 2019.
At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. European Command deployed a THAAD system to Israel in early March as a demonstration of the United States’ continued commitment to Israel’s regional security under the Department of Defense’s Dynamic Force Employment concept.
“Outstanding performance by the great Soldiers from the Army’s Air and Missile Defense community,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, U.S. Army Europe Deputy Commanding General. “The Department of Defense called on them on short notice to rapidly deploy a THAAD system thousands of miles across the globe, and then integrate into one of the most complex missile defense architectures in the world; and they delivered in spades. The ability to rapidly surge combat-ready forces into and across the theater is critical to projecting forces at a moment’s notice to support our Allies and partners across the theater.”
Close coordination between U.S. and Israeli military planners enabled the rapid movement and emplacement of over 70 pieces of equipment and 230 personnel.
During the deployment, our service members augmented Israel’s existing air and missile defense architecture, conducted joint Ballistic Missile Defense drills, and exercised security cooperation activities to improve interoperability and build readiness between the two Nations.
“The cooperation between the Air Defense Array and its American counterpart emphasizes the professionalism and operational strength that brings better protection of the skies of Israel,” said Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav, Israeli Defense Forces Air Defense Array commander. “Thanks to the professional relationships and the joint training, we will be better prepared for real-life challenges.”
The THAAD Task Force fell under the command of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, stationed at Kaiserslautern, Germany. The 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from the Ohio Army National Guard provided mission command of the THAAD Task Force. The THAAD system deployed from the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas.
DoD’s Dynamic Force Employment changes the way the U.S. military employs our forces to provide proactive and scalable options in support of National Defense objectives. These actions make our activities unpredictable to adversaries while maintaining strategic predictability for our allies and partners.
Story by Capt. Aaron Smith
174 Air Defense Artillery Brigade